Top Five Most Outrageous Late Stoppages in UFC History: a Fan’s View

MMA referees have just milliseconds to determine whether a combatant is intelligently defending himself after taking punishment in the cage, which makes the possibility of an early or late stoppage very real.

Last week, I took a look at some of the most outrageous early stoppages in UFC history. However, there's been several occasions in league history where referees have allowed fights to go on far longer than they should.

Here's a look at the top five most outrageous late-stoppages or non-stoppages in UFC history:

Orlando Weit vs Remco Pardoel, 1994

The UFC was still figuring out exactly how to determine the proper moment to stop fights in 1994, and even Big John McCarthy, widely respected as one of the best in the business, let the battle between Remco Pardoel and Orlando Weit go on a few punches too long.

Pardoel knocked Weit unconscious with vicious elbows to the temple just minutes into the first round, and he landed at least three shots too many before McCarthy stepped in.

Dan Henderson vs Michael Bisping, 2009

Henderson knocked out Michael Bisping in the second round of a light heavyweight tilt at UFC 100, and he dropped down a devastating hammer fist to the Brit's face before referee Mario Yamasaki could step in. Bisping was already out cold on the mat when Henderson landed the extra blow.

Shane Carwin vs Frank Mir, 2010

Frank Mir is a true warrior, which is perhaps the main reason why referee Dan Miragliotta let his fight against Shane Carwin at UFC 111 go on just a few punches too many.

Carwin took Mir's back and poured down a flurry of punches to his temple while the former champ was sprawled out on the mat and hardly defending himself in any kind of intelligent manner. Miragliotta mercifully stepped in to save Mir at the 3:48 mark of the opening round.

Frankie Edgar vs Gray Maynard, 2011

The first title bout between Frankie Edgar and Gray Maynard went the distance, a full 25-minute slugfest that ended in a draw. However, the fight could have easily been stopped at the 3:41 mark of the first round when Maynard floored Edgar with a series of uppercuts that left the champ staggered.

Referee Yves Lavigne moved forward as if to stop the fight, but Edgar quickly recovered and the fight would continue for several more vicious rounds. If this were not a title fight, I believe it likely would have been stopped when Maynard landed the first round shots on Edgar.

Pat Barry vs Cheick Kongo, 2011

Kongo's victory over Pat Barry at UFC Live 4 in 2011 was one of the most famous non-stoppages of all-time, as the former was literally "out on his feet" when he made a thrilling come-from-behind effort that no one could have predicted.

Referee Dan Miragliotta could have easily stepped in to stop the fight when Barry connected with a flurry of strikes that floored Kongo midway through the first round, but the latter recovered quickly and mounted one of the most memorable comebacks in league history. Just seconds after UFC analyst Joe Rogan announced "It's over," Kongo knocked Barry unconscious with a devastating right hand to the temple.

What are some other notable late stoppages in UFC history? Let me know in the comments.

Eric Holden is a lifelong UFC fan and supporter of the sport of mixed martial arts. Follow him on Twitter @ericholden.

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